Other conditions decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further development to clarify the Veteran's employment history and income from February 2010 to May 2011, as this information is necessary to determine if any employment during that period was marginal.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied because the Board found that the additional disabilities, including MRSA infection and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), were not caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or similar fault.,Both issues involve surgeries performed in October 2010 at a VA facility where informed consent was obtained for potential complications such as infections and nerve injuries.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's left finger and left-hand disorder, as well as determine whether any diagnosed disabilities are related to active service. The Veteran will be notified of the need for this examination.

The Board has determined that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus, the case is being returned to VA for further action. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine which muscle group(s) are affected by the Veteran's gunshot wound and assess the severity of the injury in accordance with VA regulations.

The Veteran's mycosis fungoides is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted due to the condition being confined to the skin.

The Board denied service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to his in-service mononucleosis and anemia.

The Board has determined that the current remand is necessary to obtain an adequate etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's infectious disease and its relationship to service, specifically herbicide agent exposure. The examiner should consider all possible causes of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of the propriety of the apportionment amount of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits due to new evidence submitted by the apportionee. The case will be readjudicated and a supplemental statement of the case will be issued for initial consideration.

The Board has denied service connection for refractive errors of the eyes and bilateral cataracts, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty. The case is remanded for further examination regarding bilateral pedal edema and right hip trochanteric bursitis.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for right foot hallux valgus (claimed as right great toe) due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of the condition and its relationship to service or service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's in-service complaints and current diagnoses need to be considered.

The Board has denied service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and bladder disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within a year post-service. The Veteran's assertions regarding exposure to herbicide agents were not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for gout of the bilateral toes, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service or within one year following separation. The Veteran's in-service injury did not cause his current gout.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disorder is related to his service at Camp Lejeune, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease, and has remanded the issues of service connection for a thyroid condition, low back disability, and type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's atherosclerosis is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected kidney disabilities.,The Veteran's granulomas of the liver and nodule of the lung are granted as they are related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for breathing disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent disability rating for anal fistula is being remanded due to the need to obtain outstanding private treatment records from Dr. M.G. and the Lexington Clinic.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for recognition of his son E.M. as a dependent child for the purpose of additional dependency compensation based on full-time school attendance between ages 18 and 23. The Board has determined that this issue needs to be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lower extremity disability and special monthly compensation (SMC) due to loss of use of legs or feet, as these matters are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to purchase of an automobile with adaptive equipment. The Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of any bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for cataracts, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.